Highlights
411 567 refugees and migrants have reached Europe by sea so far in 2015, and a total of 2900 refugees and migrants have lost their lives in the Mediterranean in 2015 (estimates the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)).
Refugees and migrants have similar health problems to those of the European Region’s resident population, but the conditions in which they travel can acutely exacerbate or cause a lifethreatening deterioration in the health of people with chronic conditions.
The most frequent health problems in refugees and migrants include injuries, burns, psychological trauma and diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and hypertension, often worsened by the interruption of treatment. Acute respiratory infections, diarrhoea and head lice may also occur, associated with poor hygiene conditions during the journey. Infectious diseases already endemic in the European Region, such as tuberculosis (TB), HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, measles and rubella, can also be reported.
Emergency care for injuries, access to care during pregnancy and childbirth, children’s access to medical care in case of fever or childhood diseases, medication and care for those who have chronic conditions, as well as psychosocial care, need to be ensured.
The WHO Regional Office for Europe established a migration and health task force to support Member States and country offices in dealing with the challenges posed by the recent large influx of refugees and migrants.
A ministerial lunch at the 65th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe was held to discuss the health implications of migration.